An Angus woman has been found guilty by a jury of assaulting an 87-year-old man, then crying rape in an effort to avoid detection.
Pregnant Louise McDougall told “one Oscar-worthy lie after another” in alleging William Watson had raped her, the 10 women and five men agreed, unanimously finding her guilty of assault and breach of the peace, plus a third charge by majority of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The jury at Dundee Sheriff Court deleted references to brandishing a knife at the pensioner and of robbing him of his wallet and cash.
McDougall, 25, of Mount Avenue in Montrose, had claimed he sexually assaulted her and she acted in self-defence.
The jurors took 90 minutes to convict McDougall, who sat impassively in the dock as the verdicts were read out.
Defence advocate Jonathan Crowe said his client was “under no illusions that custody is a possibility in this case” but asked that she be allowed bail so reports could be compiled within the community.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro agreed but warned McDougall: “These are obviously serious offences made much worse by the fact you have a criminal record for violence and breaches of the peace.
“I have to get a report from the social work department and if it wasn’t for the fact that you are pregnant you would be remanded in custody. This doesn’t mean you will not be going into custody though.”
During the trial jurors heard McDougall repeatedly struck Mr Watson, took her clothes off, then phoned 999 and told police she had been raped by the frail pensioner.
Mr Watson, who is profoundly deaf and gave evidence through a sign language interpreter, told the court he was struck with a poker by McDougall, who stripped off and offered him sexual services.
He said he had been at home with his son, who had gone out to the shop, leaving him in alone. He said he was just sitting when the door opened and he was struck three times on the head with the poker.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court McDougall was a “liar who has fabricated evidence” to the police.
She said she had “lost count” of the number of times Mr Watson had denied her allegations during his evidence.
Sentence was deferred until February 25.